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Ang Pagdadalaga ni Nanay Dionisia
Leonor Magtolis Briones


Everyone knows who Nanay  Dionisia is.  She is none other than the mother of Philippine idol Manny Pacquiao who has become a media  icon in her own right. If he is Pac-Man, she is Pac-Mom.  The public agrees that “Kung wala si Mommy, wala si Manny!”

As a celebrity, her every utterance is duly quoted;  her gowns (one costs P30,000 ) and designer clothes counted and faithfully photographed; and the price of her Rolex wristwatch (P 300,000) transmitted to the avid public. She is captured by TV cameras laughing and talking on the phone, wearing eyeshades with the brand name “Dior” for all televiewers to see. Amidst smiles and titters, one media outfit excitedly reported about her lovelife and her suitors while Nanay smiled coyly.

During her birthday bash in General Santos City, national and local celebrities were invited.  Guests watched her change her gowns a number of times and dance the night away. The event was covered by national multimedia.

At the tender age of 60 years she has come into full bloom and is enjoying every minute of her “pagdadalaga.”

And why not?  She richly deserves her “pagdadalaga.” She probably had no time for the fun things that young women enjoy, what with early marriage, two husbands who deserted her, and several children to raise by herself.

So why do I feel a twinge of uneasiness at the sight of Nanay Dionisia in her fineryâ€"clothes, jewelry, dancing shoesâ€" in her new house surrounded by fans and admirers?
Why am I disturbed by this transformation which many say is well deserved and rightfully earned?

Transforming Nanay Dionisia

The public knows that her son Manny and daughter-in-law Jinkee have lavished gifts and money on Nanay Dionisia. Like all celebrities, she attracts those who seek to bask in her glory and benefit from her newfound status.  They see in her not only an object of adulation but also a possible source of profit.

One can imagine the number of “admirers” who volunteered to tutor and mentor her in her journey to the ranks of celebrity and high society.  What gowns to wear, which jewelry to buy, and which beautician to patronize? What blingblings to give away?  What furniture, décor and bric-a-brac to decorate the new house? What businesses to invest in?

The media has joined the fray.  Behind amused smiles, they ask inane questions which elicit inane answers, in the name of “human interest.” They exaggerate aspects of her personality to amuse the public.  Someone cleverly superimposed Nanay Dionisia’s face on the creations of international fashion designers to illustrate how she would look like in haute couture.

At the rate the media frenzy is going, she is in danger of becoming an object of amusement instead of an object of admiration.

Where is the real Nanay Dionisia?

I am terribly afraid the public will lose the real Nanay Dionisia.  It will be difficult to find her under the layers of frothy ball gowns, thick make up, stiletto heels and bouffant hairdos.  One cannot easily find her behind the studied poses and the celebrity smiles.

I miss the plain-speaking, forthright, no-nonsense Nanay Dionisia who taught her children to pray, fed them, and brought them up all by herself.  I miss the Nanay who scolded her son and declared that she did not want him to run for public office.

I hope she does not disappear.

Is Nanay Dionisia happy with all the perks she is enjoying now?  If so, then why not.  Let her enjoy life to the fullest. That's her life. After all, her son is the Pac-Man and she is the Pac-Mom. lol 

Lately, next to Pacman himself, Nanay Dionisia seems to be the next most talked about person in the Philippines. I heard that a laundry detergent endorsement is in the offing.Who knows what else would come next for this late bloomer? The world likes to feel together with those who receive life's breaks late in the day--Susan Boyle, Nanay Dionisia. Go, Nanay Dionisia!

Go Nanay Go! Be happy of what you have.

i guess she is enjoying.honest jud sya moanswer sa mga questions from the media. ang dili lang mout kay one of the reporters asked her to spell the brand of her expensive bag. nismile ra daw si Pac-Mom,maau na lang na diha daw laing reporter ni divert ug laing sensible question.

dili nato mabasol c Aling Dionsia, unsaon man pod nila ng ilang milyones wui..
Enjoy while it last! Wala bitaw xa gitapakan na ubang tawo, ryt?

hatagi pod siya ug chance moenjoy sa iyang hinaguan, dili baya lalim motan aw ka nga  naa sa ring imong anak makigsinumbagay

Nalimtan man ug award si Nanay Dionisia last month ug, "Ulirang Ina" sa Mother's Day.